invitation to tender for the hvdc owfs - system studies ... · market review of the recent...

1 The Carbon Trust 4th Floor, Dorset House, 27-45 Stamford Street, London SE1 9NT T: +44 (0)20 7170 7000 F: +44 (0)20 7170 7020 www.carbontrust.co.uk The Carbon Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Registered in England and Wales Number 4190230.

11 December 2019

Dear Sir/Madam,

Invitation to Tender for the HVDC OWFs - System Studies and Optimisation project

for the Carbon Trust’s OWA Programme

You are invited to submit a tender for the HVDC OWFs - System Studies and Optimisation

project which is part of the Offshore Wind Accelerator (OWA) programme. The key objective

of this project is to provide improved insights into the application of HVDC transmission for

OWFs with special focus on the development of generic models to facilitate system studies

to be executed by developers in the early phases of a HVDC connected OWF.

Please be aware that dates referred to below may be subject to change where this is

necessary in the interests of the project (such changes will be notified in advance).

Should your tender be successful an Award Letter, the Scope of Work, the OWA Conditions

of Contract (“Conditions”), and any clarifications agreed in writing, will establish the

Contract for the HVDC OWFs - System Studies and Optimisation project (the “Contract”)

between you and the Carbon Trust. The Conditions accompany this ITT for your prior

review. Please note that in the interests of transparency and fairness, these Conditions are

non-negotiable, although we will provide clarifications to any queries you may have prior

to submitting your tender, answers to which will be distributed to all bidders as set out

below. Bids which fail to accept the Conditions in their full un-amended form (other than

changes explicitly accepted and agreed by the Carbon Trust on the clarifications page) at

the time of submission will be considered to be non-compliant and will be excluded from

the procurement process.

Please e-mail clarification questions to [email protected] any time before

16:00 GMT Monday 6 January. Answers to clarification questions will be posted on our

website by Thursday 9 January. Answers can be found at:

https://www.carbontrust.com/about-us/tenders.

For information about the OWA programme, please see the Carbon Trust’s web site:

www.carbontrust.com/offshorewind

Unless informed to the contrary, tenders and communications should be sent by e-mail to

the following e-mail address:

[email protected] and [email protected]

Please submit your tender by 16:00 GMT Friday 31 January 2020.

The timeline of this procurement process is as follows:

Deadline for clarification questions 16:00 GMT Monday 6 January

Clarification Response Date Thursday 9 January

Submission of full tender 16:00 GMT Friday 31 January 2020

Bidder interviews Tuesday 11 February

Project kick off meeting Monday 2 March

If you have any questions about the timing, please let us know.

We look forward to receiving your tender.

Yours sincerely,

https://www.carbontrust.com/about-us/tenders


Rory Shanahan

For and on behalf of

THE CARBON TRUST


IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS

Neither this document, nor any part of it nor any other information supplied in connection

with it may, except with the prior written consent of the Carbon Trust, be published,

reproduced, copied, distributed or disclosed to any person for any purpose other than

consideration by the recipient of whether or not to submit a Tender.

Bidders should note that the Scope of Work described in this Invitation to Tender does not

constitute an offer to contract with the Carbon Trust. It only represents a definition of

specific requirements and an invitation to submit a tender addressing these requirements.

Issuance of this invitation to tender and the subsequent receipt and evaluation of the

tenders by the Carbon Trust does not commit the Carbon Trust to enter into a Contract

with any bidder.

Bidders should also note that:

depending on the progress and/or results of the project referred to in this Invitation

to Tender and the views of the Carbon Trust and/or the OWA programme as to

whether additional analysis or more in depth work in respect of any or all aspects

relating to the project are desirable in order to achieve the objectives referred to in

the Invitation to Tender, the Carbon Trust may request such additional analysis or

work. Any additional analysis or work agreed between the parties shall form part of

Scope of Work and the Services to be provided by the selected Contractor under the

Contract;

the Carbon Trust reserves the right not to accept the lowest priced tender or any

tender whatsoever;

the Carbon Trust reserves the right to accept more than one tender;

unless a bidder makes a formal statement to the contrary, the Carbon Trust reserves

the right to accept any part of a bidder’s tender without accepting the remainder;

formal notification that a tender has been successful will be communicated in writing

by the Carbon Trust;

the costs of tendering are the full responsibility of the bidder; and,

the pricing set by bidders shall be valid for a minimum of 90 days.

The information contained here, in the Scope of Work and in any documents or information

it refers to or incorporates (the “Disclosed Information”) has been prepared to assist

interested parties in deciding whether to make a bid. The Disclosed Information is not a

recommendation by the Carbon Trust. It does not purport to be all inclusive or include all

the information that a bidder may require.

Neither the Carbon Trust nor any of its directors, employees, agents or advisers makes any

representation or warranty (express or implied) as to the accuracy, reasonableness or

completeness of the Disclosed Information. All such persons or entities expressly

disclaim any and all liability (other than in respect of fraudulent misrepresentation) based

on or relating to the Disclosed Information or any subsequent communication. The bidder

should conduct its own due diligence and seek its own professional, legal, financial and

other advice as appropriate. The only information which will have any legal effect and/or

upon which any person may rely will be such information (if any) as has been specifically

and expressly represented and/or warranted in writing to the successful bidder in any

written contract that may be entered into with the Carbon Trust.

Tenders and all supporting documentation must be written in English. This ITT, the

Contract, its formation, interpretation and performance will be subject to and in accordance

with the law of England and Wales.


The Carbon Trust Offshore Wind Accelerator

Invitation to Tender for the HVDC OWFs - System

Studies and Optimisation Project

Contents

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR BIDDERS ............................................................... 3

1. Introduction to the Offshore Wind Accelerator .................................................... 5

2. Objective of the Work ..................................................................................... 6

3. Pre-Conditions ............................................................................................... 7

4. Scope of Work ............................................................................................... 9

5. Intellectual Property and Knowledge ................................................................. 19

6. Bid Pricing ..................................................................................................... 19

7. Tender Evaluation Criteria ............................................................................... 20


1. Introduction to the Offshore Wind Accelerator

1.1. The Offshore Wind Accelerator (“OWA”) is a collaborative R&D programme between

The Carbon Trust, SSE Renewables Developments (UK) Limited, Ørsted Wind Power

A/S, Innogy SE, ScottishPower Renewables (UK) Limited, Equinor ASA, Shell Global

Solutions International B.V., E.ON Climate & Renewables GmbH, Vattenfall Wind

Power Ltd and ENBW Energie Baden-Württemberg AG (the latter 9 collectively

referred to in this document as “OWA Partners”) that aims to reduce the cost of

offshore wind as well as provide insights regarding industry standard (and best

practice) health and safety requirements.

1.2. The focus is on improving the economics of offshore wind farms in European waters

through developing innovative technologies that can be deployed in planned and

operational European projects.

1.3. The Offshore Wind Accelerator currently covers five research areas:

Offshore Foundations

Wake Effects and Wind Resource

Access Systems

Electrical Systems

Cable Installation

Figure 1. Research areas and ‘Technical Working Group’ names

1.4. Contractors receive technical direction and data from OWA Partners through the

Carbon Trust management team and through their respective Technical Working

Group (“TWG”) (see Figure 1).

1.5. This project will fall under the Electrical Systems (“E”) research area.

1.6. The Technical Working Group-Electrical Systems is abbreviated to (“TWG-E”).

1.7. Please note, the term “Contractor”, where used within this document, refers only to

successful bidders.


2. Objective of the Work

There is an increasing demand for safe and efficient grid connection of offshore wind farms

(OWFs) using HVDC transmission technology. This study aims to provide improved insights

into the application of HVDC transmission for OWFs, with special focus on the following

aspects:

Market review of the recent applications of HVDC transmission technology

Grid-code compliance and best practice guidelines for an optimised coordination of

project tasks

Identification and evaluation of studies that can be reasonably performed by

developers using generic models during a HVDC project

Coordination and interaction of large-signal and small-signal protection and control

functions between HVDC converter station and OWF

Generic models to facilitate system studies to be executed in the planning &

development phase and tender/bid phase of a project

Market consultation and assessment of potential further optimisation and cost

reduction for HVDC converter stations

The first part of this project requires the Contractor to carry out a detailed analysis of

previously completed work with regard to HVDC transmission technology for OWFs and

assess the lessons learned and opportunities for a further optimised approach to connect

OWFs to shore via HVDC transmission.

Typical HVDC connected OWFs design, construction and commissioning period is

approximately 50 - 60 months and without optimised planning this period may be even

longer, this would lead to a significant cost increase for OWF developers. An optimised

approach for integrating OWFs with a HVDC transmission system is critical to an OWF

project’s success. In the second work package, analysis of the optimised approach for

connecting HVDC connected OWFs should be carried out and opportunities to improve and

expedite this process should be identified and evaluated. Best practise guidelines should be

developed for integrating OWFs to HVDC transmission to enable improved commissioning

times and performance.

As per CIGRE TB 563, the life cycle of a HVDC project is classified into five main phases of

system studies: (a) planning and development; (b) tender/bid process; (c) post award; (d)

commissioning; (e) over the operational life of the project. Early planning and HVDC system

studies are critical to determine the best integrated and optimised approach to minimise

the overall project period. Lack of reliable and representative study data and models (HVDC

converters, WTGs and Grid models) are one of the main challenges for developers.

In the third work package, the Contractor should determine which studies can be

reasonably performed by developers using generic models and which studies need to be

conducted with the OEM’s model during the FEED study for the tender/bid phase.

The Contractor will assess currently available models and known practices to consolidate

an optimised HVDC converter model suitable to be used by OWF developers in the planning

& development phase and initial stages of tender/bid phase of an HVDC connected OWF.

The developed model should enable developers to identify the focus of the system studies

that need to be conducted with the OEM’s model during the FEED study for the tender/bid

phase.

The Contractor shall identify the risks associated with using generic models during the

planning & development and tender/bid phase. The Contractor should produce guidelines

for the modelling of the onshore grid / external network. The Contractor should specify the

HVDC model requirement and model parameters that could then be provided to the OEM’s

to be considered in the development of their models.


In the final work package, the Contractor should assess the potential for further

optimisation & cost reduction of HVDC Converter stations based on the outcome of the

previous work packages and the Contractor’s experience.

3. Pre-Conditions

3.1. Bidders should take the following pre-condition into account when preparing and

submitting their tenders. The Carbon Trust may reject any non-compliant tenders

without progressing such tenders through the evaluation phase. If the Carbon Trust,

in its absolute discretion, considers that the bidder’s response to the following pre-

condition is not satisfactory, the bidder’s tender will be non-compliant.

Description Information required from Bidders

Conflict of interests Bidders are required to state that they are free of any

commercial interests, partnership arrangements or contracts

underway or other matters which may present a conflict or

potential conflict of interest in respect of the provision of

these services.

If a bidder thinks that they may have any conflict or potential

conflict of interest, the bidder should describe the details of

this conflict and provide details of whether and how it would

propose to manage such a conflict in a satisfactory and robust

manner.

The Carbon Trust reserves the right to require the provision

of further information in relation to the bidder’s response to

this pre-condition.

Conditions of Contract

and Scope of Work

The OWA Conditions of Contract and draft Scope of Work for

this project are attached. The Contract will be constituted by

the Award Letter, the OWA Conditions of Contract and the

Scope of Work (including any agreed clarifications to it).

Failure to accept these documents in their un-amended form

or requesting amendments to them means that a bidder’s

tender is a non-compliant tender and it would therefore be at

the discretion of the Carbon Trust to accept such a tender.

Submission of a tender shall constitute unqualified

acceptance of the OWA Conditions of Contract.

Bidders are required to submit a signed Form of Tender when

submitting their tenders. The Form of Tender forms part of

this Invitation to Tender. The failure by a bidder to submit a

signed Form of Tender when submitting its tender shall mean

that such tender is a non-compliant tender. Non-compliant

tenders may be rejected without further consideration.

If any bidder wishes to request an amendment to any term or

condition, such amendment must be clearly stated and the

exact wording which the bidder is requesting must be set out.

No material changes will be considered.

Further Conditions All documentation and correspondences must be in English

with costs given in GBP (£). Staff employment rates must be


quoted as hourly rates in GBP (£). All additional expenses

must be included under Work Package B: Costs and Expenses.

Bidders are requested to input the man hours involved in the

project for each work package in table 1, section 6.4. Any

additional information (e.g. CVs or References) that Bidders

wish to provide must be included in the main bid document

(preferably in PDF) as an appendix.


4. Scope of Work

4.1. The Contract will be constituted by the Award Letter, the OWA Conditions of Contract

and the Scope of Work (including any agreed clarifications to it). This final Scope of

Work document will reflect any updates, changes or improvements to the technical

scope and Work Packages as suggested by the Contractor in its proposal.

4.2. Failure to accept these documents in their un-amended form or requesting

amendments to them means that a bidder’s tender is a non-compliant tender and it

would therefore be at the discretion of the Carbon Trust to accept such a tender.

Submission of a tender shall constitute unqualified acceptance of the OWA Conditions

of Contract.

4.3. If any bidder wishes to request an amendment to any term or condition, such

amendment must be clearly stated and the exact wording which the bidder is

requesting must be set out. No material changes will be considered.

4.4. The following section provides a summary of the key points relating to the technical

content of this project and the proposed scope.

Contractor Specification

4.5. The Carbon Trust appreciates that due to the breadth of skills and experience required

for this project a consortium may be required to successfully meet the objectives of

the project. It is envisaged that it will take a small team of mixed seniority ~ 10 - 12

months to complete. Contractors should use this scope to create a detailed project

plan and Gantt chart outlining how they will deliver this project on budget and within

the allocated time. This will be agreed by the Technical Working Group & Carbon Trust

before work commences. It is expected that simplifying assumptions will be required

to complete this work in the given timeframe; all assumptions will need to be clearly

stated and approved by the TWG.

Detailed Scope

4.6. The following Work Packages are the initial ideas on the key activities that the

Contractor is expected to undertake during this contract. Contractors are encouraged

to offer a different or expanded approach that fulfils the high-level objectives and

deliverables. If a different approach is suggested, the Contractor is expected to

explain / justify any intended deviation from the advertised work packages.

4.7. It is expected that the Contractor will report on interim deliverables (if applicable) to

the Technical Working Group and that the final report will contain documentation of

all deliverables.


Work Packages

WORK

PACKAGE

Description of work

WP1 –Market

Review

A market review should be conducted of the recent applications of HVDC

transmission technology to OWFs across Europe and the interaction of

offshore wind turbine generators (WTGs) with the HVDC system,

particularly in terms of control interactions and complying with grid code

requirements both onshore and offshore (dependent on the country-

specific grid code requirements). Developers, Manufacturers and TSO’s

should be consulted to identify issues and lessons learned. Face-to-face

meetings are preferable if possible.

Notable analysis has already been completed in this area as part of the

PROMOTioN project. Considerable work has also been undertaken and

documented by Cigré HVDC working groups, Renewable UK and there

are a number of publications by various professional institutions (e.g.

IEEE and IET). A review should be completed on the available information

from these sources and others, and a gap analysis should be conducted

to identify areas that require further investigation.

On agreement with the TWG, the Contractor should carry out further

analysis of the specific areas identified, the results of which will feed into

latter work packages.

D01: WP1 report;

- Report detailing the available information and insights gained through research and

stakeholder interviews. A gap analysis should be produced to identify areas that

require further study.

- Subsequent further analysis of the specific identified priority areas should be

included as part of the final version of this report.

D02 – Presentation to the OWA TWG-E.

WP2 – Best

practice

guidelines

and optimised

coordination

task list.

Identification of an optimised approach of connecting a HVDC connected

windfarm to minimise the overall project time and system studies that

are required during the planning & development and tender/bid phase

through the entire development and commissioning of a HVDC OWF

project. The contractor should identify and detail the appropriate

sequential steps required for the entire process. Engagement is required

with HVDC OEMs, WTG OEMs and platform fabricators.


Operational electrical performance and O&M advantages and limitations

when compared to HVAC connected wind farms should be investigated.

The capability and potential for a HVDC connected OWFs to contribute

in the ancillary service market should be assessed and the

advantages/disadvantages over a HVAC connected OWF should be

detailed. The specific requirements and the needs and risks of

technology developments should be investigated.

The Contractor should develop a standardised sequence of tasks to

enable an optimised coordination of the commissioning of the HVDC

converter stations and WTGs to ensure a shortened commissioning time.

The typical dependencies in such a process, risks, critical path and other

factors need to be identified and appropriate measures for optimised

coordination need to be described in detail.

To meet the Grid Code compliance and satisfy other aspects of an HVDC

connected OWF, there needs to be better cooperation between the WTG

supplier and HVDC contractor. The Contractor should evaluate each of

the applicable compliance processes including redundancy requirements

for HVDC connected OWFs and determine the responsibilities of the

WTG and HVDC contractor independently and collaboratively.

The control interaction between the HVDC system and the Grid is critical

to stability of the overall system operation during normal and abnormal

conditions. Lack of modelling data and IP issues of data sharing among

the HVDC OEM, nearby other power electronic devices (HVDC

connections and STATCOMs) and the Grid have been identified as a

critical issue. Specific consideration should be given to understand the

data sharing requirement and the best way to address IP issues to

perform control interaction studies.

D03: WP2 Report;

- Detailing best practise guidelines and an optimised coordination task list. The

typical dependencies need to be identified and appropriate measures for optimised

coordination and mitigation of risks need to be described in detail.

- Operational electrical performance and O&M advantages and limitations.

- Capability and potential to contribute in the ancillary service market.

- The applicable compliance processes relevant to the WTGs and the HVDC link need

to be addressed.

- Specific consideration should be given to understand the data sharing requirement

and the best way to address IP issues to perform control interaction studies.



WP3 – HVDC

System

Studies and

model

development

During the planning & development and tender/bid phase for a HVDC connected OWF project, developers must conduct a number of system studies to specify the key parameters of the electrical network components and identify early risks to be investigated by the OEMs during the FEED studies for the tender/bid phase. The focus of this study is on HVDC OWF projects based on Modular Multilevel Converters (MMC) - Voltage Source Converter (VSC) technology.

As per CIGRE TB 563, the life cycle of a HVDC project is classified into five main phases of system studies: (a) planning and development; (b) tender/bid process; (c) post award; (d) commissioning; (e) over the operational life of the project.

Lack of reliable/representative generic models is a key challenge for developers to undertake studies at the planning and development and tender/bid phase. However, some research and development has been performed by various organisations in this subject area. For example CIGRE B4.69 and the PROMOTioN Horizon 2020 project have developed some MMC-VSC HVDC study models.

Often OEM’s do not provide their models during the FEED studies during the tender/bid phase so developers are unable to verify their initial system studies with appropriate models. Although some types of studies are difficult without OEM specific models, such as steady-state and transient harmonics interactions; the Contractor should determine which studies can be reasonably performed by developers using generic models during the development phase; e.g. steady-state studies and preliminary dynamic and transient studies; and which studies need to be conducted with the OEM’s model during the FEED study for the tender/bid phase. The Contractor shall identify the appropriate data and models required for FEED studies for the tender/bid phase.

In the planning and development phase of a MMC-VSC HVDC connected OWF, the developer aims to use the generic HVDC model (deliverable of this tender) together with the generic WTG model (to be provided by OWA TWG-E) to study the following areas of interest:

Large-signal fault analysis to check the coordination of the

offshore converter station (grid-forming) and the WTG as well as

the fault recovery response of the onshore converter station

against available grid code.

Large-signal energization/start-up of the HVDC converter station

(both onshore and offshore) as well as the start-up of the OWF

(e.g. energization of the inter-array cable, wind turbine

transformer etc.).

Evaluation of fault-ride-through strategy for a HVDC connected

OWF during an onshore fault condition. For example, during the

onshore fault condition, the power from the OWF cannot be


transmitted to the onshore grid by the onshore HVDC converter,

which will lead to a rapid DC voltage rise that will be

counteracted by the DC chopper typically equipped at the

onshore converter station DC link. The alternative is to make

use of the chopper circuit residing within the individual WTGs,

the offshore converter would lower the output voltage invoking

the LVRT behaviour of the WTGs.

Small-signal controller interaction study between HVDC station

and OWF, or between the two/three adjacent OWFs connected

to the same HVDC offshore converter station. Aim of this study

is to focus on the identification of potential small-signal

controller interaction between a typical HVDC controller and a

typical OWF controller (within the modelling scope of work).

Recognizing the exact project specific oscillation mode will be

investigated by applying the OEM specific models (i.e. both

HVDC model and OWF model), the aim of this study is to

provide insights with regards to the potential oscillation modes

in correspondence to a discrete frequency range and identify

the area of focus for the FEED studies for the tender/bid phase.

Applying distance protection at 66kV outgoing feeder of

offshore HVDC converter station and study the fault/transient

recovery behaviour of offshore HVDC converter station and

OWF.

The above-mentioned areas of interest reflect the current understanding of the OWF developers, the generic HVDC model to be delivered shall facilitate these system studies to be carried out sufficiently. Note the contractor shall provide expert opinion regarding any additional relevant system studies that could contribute to the planning and development phase of a HVDC connected OWF.

With the key system study areas in mind, the generic model that is to be delivered by the contractor shall also contain good level of detail in terms of protection and control functions of a typical MMC-VSC HVDC system, a list of typical protection and control functions is provided below:

Low Level Control

o Modulation (e.g. Nearest Level Switching)

o Circulating Current Suppression Control (CCSC)

o Balancing Algorithm (e.g. Capacitor Balancing Algorithm)

High Level Control

o DC Link/Reactive Power Control (Onshore Station),

Voltage/Frequency Control (Offshore Station)

o Inner Current Control Loop (e.g. positive sequence,

negative sequence)


o Phase-Lock-Loop (PLL) (e.g. SOGI PLL for positive and

negative sequence control)

o Balancing Control (e.g. between phases, between upper

and lower arms, within one arm)

o Active damping (e.g. offshore converter station)

o Sub/Super-synchronous oscillation suppression

(optional)

o Active Power Filter (optional)

Valve Level Protection

o Current/Voltage Protection for IGBT modules

o di/dt, dv/dt Protection for IGBT modules

Converter Station Protection

o AC Current/Voltage/Frequency Protection

o DC Current/Voltage Protection

HVDC Relay Protection

o Transformer Differential Protection

o Overcurrent Protection

o Distance Protection

The typical control and protection functions of a MMC-VSC HVDC system mentioned above provide the basis to meet the system study modelling requirements. Although discrete control and protection function parameters are subjected to project specification and OEM solution, the aim of the model is to capture the typical parameter range (e.g. based on the optimized controller design and protection methodology) that is applicable to HVDC converter station control and protection cubicles. The contractor is requested to review the typical control and protection functions listed in this document and reflect on the current state-of-art by adding additional functions to the generic model and through consultation with the OWA members, certain protection/control functions could be removed if supported by evidence, OEM field practice or international recommended practice.

The Contractor should investigate the available generic models for HVDC OWF project studies from various organisations and the possibility of accessing these models. The OWA will provide the Contractor with a generic PSCAD MMC-VSC HVDC transmission model of a symmetrical monopole to an OWF that can be used as an initial starting point for this work.

Generic PSCAD MMC-VSC HVDC transmission model description: The model is quite basic and has very limited protection and control functions for the symmetrical monopole. The offshore converter station is in grid-forming mode (i.e. voltage + frequency control) and via step-down transformer to provide 66kV grid connection to the OWF. The Contractor will be provided with a separate WTG model with more detailed control and protection functions and the Contractor will have to


integrate this into the MMC-VSC HVDC transmission model. Specific attention should be given to the up-scaling of the existing WTG model to OWF model facilitating the control and protection interaction study of MMC-VSC HVDC connected OWF. The Contractor will have to assess the gaps in both models and develop these models to ensure they include all the required specifications to carry out the developer studies in the planning and development phase of a project. The symmetrical monopole is modified from a CIGRE B4.57 model and is available on-line. The model provided is a “Type 3” and it is based on simplified switchable resistances - IGBT and diodes are represented by two-value resistors.

Please see below some initial characteristics of the generic model that will be provided:

- External Grid voltage - 400 kV - Converter rating Offshore & Onshore - 1200 MW - HVDC voltage - ±320 kV

The contractor should evaluate the provided model and other models obtained and; identify the suitability of these models, develop these models further by adding capability and functionality where reasonably possible. The Contractor should develop a detailed generic HVDC OWF model including WTG models using appropriate power system software tools. Please note that the development of WTG model is out of the scope of this work and generic WTG model(s) will be provide under a NDA. However, the contractor should identify any gaps or requirement of the generic WTG model for the HVDC studies. This detailed generic model can then be used by the OWA developers in the development phase of a HVDC connected OWF project.

The Contractor should then conduct preliminary studies and develop a recommended study specification and study scope for the: development and planning phase; and the tender/bid phase. The economic benefit/risk of defining/not defining the appropriate project parameters and system studies during the planning & development and tender/bid phase should also be assessed.

The contractor should also provide guidelines for the modelling of the onshore grid / external network for the various system studies required at the development and planning; and tender/bid phase. These guidelines should be supported by explanations.

This work should also provide a specification for the HVDC model requirement and model parameters that could be provided to the OEM’s to be considered in the development of their models. The Contractor should provide an accurate definition of the input/output signal so that system parameters and protection setting etc. will be made visible to the user. This will enable OEM models to be validated and ensure that they


are sufficiently accurate representations of the actual equipment for the purpose of the study.

D05: WP3 (a) Study Specification Report;

- Identification and evaluation of studies that can be reasonably performed by

developers using generic models during the planning & development phase of a

HVDC project and which studies need to be conducted with the OEM’s model during

the FEED study for the tender/bid phase. The Contractor shall also identify the

appropriate data and models required for FEED studies for the tender/bid phase.

D06: WP3 Generic MMC-VSC HVDC OWF model with description/guide;

- Generic MMC-VSC HVDC OWF model including integrated WTGs using appropriate

power system software tools.

- The delivered model shall facilitate the identified system studies to be carried out

sufficiently and contain good level of detail in terms of protection and control

functions of a typical MMC-VSC HVDC system as detailed above.

- The model should be sufficient to be used by the OWA developers in the planning &

development phase and where possible the tender/bid phase of a HVDC connected

OWF project. Model description/guide to be provided.

- Conduct preliminary studies and develop a recommended study specification.

D07: WP3 Final Report;

- Update of WP3 (a) after insights gained

- Results of preliminary studies and presentation of the recommended study

specification and study scope for the: development and planning phase; and the

tender/bid phase of a HVDC OWF project.

- Assessment of the economic benefit/risk of defining/not defining the appropriate

project parameters and system studies

- Guidelines for the modelling of the onshore grid / external network

- Specification for the HVDC model requirement and model parameters that could

then be provided to the OEM’s to be considered in the development of their

models.


WP4 –

Optimised

converter

platforms

(Optional)

WP4 is an optional work package and the OWA TWG-E will make a

decision after WP3 whether or not to proceed with WP4. Within bid

submissions, WP4 should be detailed like any of the other work packages

with approach to work, specified staff, total hours, budget etc. provided.

A detailed analysis should be carried out assessing the range of

opportunities for HVDC Converter station cost reduction based on the


outcome of WP1, WP2, WP3 and any other lessons learned during this

work or from the Contractor’s experience.

This should focus on opportunities for the reduction of LCOE and

improvement in health & safety.

The Contractor should review the promising concepts/technologies in

the market that could potentially be implemented in HVDC Converter

stations; this study should investigate opportunities for optimisation for

individual components/systems to the overall converter design.

Modular and lean designs, alternative designs such as the Siemens Diode

Rectifier Units (DRU) concept, new developments in electrical

equipment, upgrades in Nominal DC voltage and power capacity and the

direct connection of the WTGs via 66kV AC (or potentially higher voltage

array cables) to the HVDC converter station should be evaluated.

The Contractor should also investigate potential operational modes such

as providing ancillary services to the grid and the offshore voltage control

methodology.

The contractor should detail the potential new approaches for converter

platforms and evaluate the most promising concepts/technologies for

future HVDC connected OWFs. The Contractor is expected to carry out a

high-level cost, benefit and risk analysis of the most promising

concepts/technologies.

D09 – WP4 report;

- Detailing the opportunities for an optimised HVDC converter station to reduce the

LCOE and improve health & safety. This should include a high-level cost, benefit and

risk analysis of the most promising concepts/technologies.


WPA - Project

Management

The Contractor should stipulate how they will manage the project

efficiently and effectively. This should include specific costs for project

management time, to include update calls with the Carbon Trust Project

Manager and/or Technical Working Group as required.

This should also include production of a one-page executive summary for

the whole project, for internal dissemination. Carbon Trust will provide

the template for this. The budget should also accommodate production

of a final presentation and time dedicated to presenting this in the form

of a short webinar to invitees from the developers of the OWA.

Finally, if appropriate, resource should also be allocated to provide inputs into the ‘OWA Cost Model’. The Contractor is not expected to


produce a cost model of its own, but rather provide guidance on the effect of the research on inputs to the ‘OWA Cost Model’.

Deliverable:

D11: Monthly flash reports.

D12: Project executive summary.

D13: Delivery of webinar.

D14: Inputs to OWA Cost Model.

WPB -

Expenses

The Contractor should detail the capped amount of expenses it

expects to incur throughout the project. Expenses will be paid as

incurred and any unused balance will not be paid.


5. Intellectual Property and Knowledge

5.1. All rights in and relating to pre-existing intellectual property and knowhow contributed

by the Contractor, third parties or OWA Partners shall remain the exclusive property

of the contributing party.

5.2. In the event that bidders plan to use or rely on pre-existing intellectual property

knowhow for the project, the Carbon Trust’s expectation is that a premium will not

be charged for leveraging this IP or knowhow.

5.3. Results of this project will be owned by the Carbon Trust for the benefit of the OWA

Partners and OWA programme.

5.4. Full details of the intellectual property requirements and conditions can be found in

the attached draft Contractor’s Conditions.

6. Bid Pricing

6.1. To provide bidders with greater clarity on the nature, level and type of work involved

in the various Work Packages (WPs), the expected total budget is between £200k and

£250k. The total budget of £250k does not have to include the costs for WP4 as this

is an optional work package; however within a bid submission, WP4 should be detailed

like any of the other work packages with approach to work, specified staff, total hours,

budget etc. provided.

6.2. The Contract Price submitted with the tender must be derived from the cost

breakdown table requested in Table 1, and must include the costs for optional work

packages as well as all expenses. Suggestions (within budget) are welcomed. If the

Contract Price exceeds the budget (including where the bid includes alternative

suggestions), to avoid receiving a lower score for this criterion, please provide a clear

and justified reason why the Contract Price exceeds the expected budget.

6.3. For the avoidance of doubt, ‘suggestions’ referred to in preceding paragraph means

‘additional areas of work or alternative or substitute activities to those described in

Annex A, that would further support the objective of the work’ (see description of

criterion 1).

6.4. The Contractor is required to fill in the following staff rate and project cost breakdown

table as part of their tender. The project is expected to take approximately 10 - 12

months.


6.5.

Table 1: Staff rates and project cost breakdown

Staff

member

Time spent per work package (WP) in hours Total

time Staff rate

(£)

Staff

cost to

project

(£) WP1 WP2 WP3 WP4

WPA: Project mgmt

in

hours

Project

Sponsor hr hr hr hr hr hr £ £

Lead

Consultant hr hr hr hr hr hr £ £

Analyst hr hr hr hr hr hr £ £

Etc. hr hr hr hr hr hr £ £

Total Time hr hr hr hr hr

WPB:

Expenses £

In hours

Total

cost of

each WP

£ £ £ £ £ Total

Cost £

As detailed in section 4, the work packages are as follows:

WP1: Market Review

WP2: Best practice guidelines and optimised coordination task list

WP3: HVDC System Studies and model development

WP4: Optimised converter platforms (Optional)

WPA: Project management

WPB: Costs and Expenses

6.6. All rates quoted in Table 1 must be in GBP (£) and represent the Hourly Rate for

employment of staff members.

6.7. Bidders should be aware that the Carbon Trust and TWG usually require 2-3 weeks

for the review and feedback procedure after delivery of each WP with at least one

round of review comments to be accommodated. This should be taken into account

when the table is completed.

7. Tender Evaluation Criteria

Bidders should take the following evaluation criteria into account when preparing and

submitting their tenders. Tender documents should be no more than 40 pages excluding

CVs.

Criterion 1: Approach to Work (Weighting: 35%)

Bidders are required to provide the evidence of the approach to work within the main body

of the tender (not in a separate document).

Description Information required from bidders

Proposed Approach

[25%]

Bidders are required to provide a detailed description on how

they plan to develop each work package described in Section

4.


The description should include an initial overview on the

approach followed by a description on how each Work

Package and task will be delivered.

Also, bidders need to justify how their proposed approach

meets the project objectives.

Suggestions

[5%]

Suggestions of additional areas of work to those described in

Section 4 of the ITT that the bidder proposes looking at as

part of this study in order to achieve the required objectives,

maintain an industry focus and provide valuable insights into

the potential for reducing costs and risks for Round 3 offshore

wind projects.

Bidders are required to differentiate which are their additional

areas of work from the proposed approach. Besides, bidders

should specify if the proposed additions affect to the total

price and quote them separately.

Project management

[5%]

Bidders are required to describe how they will manage the

project utilising appropriate resources and describe how they

will work with the various stakeholders, such as the OWA

TWG, to get information and manage potentially conflicting

relationships. It is not expected that the Contractor will have

to run any workshops with stakeholders.

Criterion 2: Experience (Weighting: 25%)

Bidders are required to provide the experience evidence as an appendix, at the end of the

bid document (not in a separate document)

Description (Projects of

a similar nature)

Information required from Bidders

Company experience in

offshore wind electrical

systems [10%]

Bidders should elaborate on experience of the criteria

described. Explain how these past experiences are relevant

for this tender.

In addition, the bidder should provide at least two examples

(with reference to specific roles, responsibilities and activities

the bidder undertook) of previous work which illustrates the

bidder’s skills, capabilities, and experience in all of these

areas (bidders may wish to make reference to submitted

examples of previous work for other clients)

Bidders are advised that experience is considered a key

important criterion and partnerships with other companies to

support certain areas of experience are welcomed.

All experience / case studies should be attached as an

appendix to the proposal, but a summary of each case should

be listed in the proposal main text.

Company experience

with HVDC technology

and system studies for

OWFs [10%]

Techno-economic

appraisal of HVDC

projects and

technologies [5%]


Criterion 3: Staff Skills (Weighting: 20%)

Bidders are required to provide the staff skills evidence as an appendix, at the end of the

bid document (not in a separate document)


CVs/Resumes

[5%]

Detailed CVs/Resumes for any staff who will be involved with

this Contract together with proposed project structure,

intended position of staff in the project, and main

responsibilities. CVs should include professional memberships

of proposed staff working on this project.

Applicable skills

[5%]

Bidders should elaborate on the most relevant skills of the

selected staff that will be applicable in the project.

Prior experience form

involved staff

[5%]

Please include examples of similar work performed by the

proposed staff members, explaining how is relevant to the

work described in Section 4.

Expert engagement

[5%]

A close working relationship with key stakeholders such as

banks’ engineers, LiDAR OEMs, offshore wind farm

developers, wind turbine OEMs, as well as the OWA Technical

Working Group are seen relevant to the success of this

project. Please supply ideas of how these groups can be

engaged and leveraged.

Criteria 4: Price (Weighting: 20%) In the event that tenderers plan to use or rely on pre-existing intellectual property or

knowhow for the project (e.g. existing O&M modelling tools), the Carbon Trust’s expectation

is that a premium will not be charged for leveraging this intellectual property or knowhow.


Day rates and man-h

for all staff grades

[10%]

Bidders are required to provide day rates for all staff grades

and to input the man-h involved in each work package

described in Section 4.

Fixed price for the

project

[10%]

Project cost breakdown by work package, time and rate of

person completing the work as specified in Section 6.4.

Bidders are required to specify expected expenses apart from

the estimated budget for each work package.

Carbon Trust will reimburse reasonable expenses at cost and

receipts may be requested. Pre-approval will be required for

travel costs over £150 per return journey and combined hotels

& subsistence cost exceeding £200 per day.

Bidders will be required to confirm or comment on their ability

to carry out the activities detailed in the Scope of Work within

the initial term of the Contract and provide an outline plan of

work

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